Around the World: Russia

Diplomat joins Cabinet

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday appointed Russia's longtime ambassador to the US to his Cabinet, which is likely to deepen speculation the former president will claim a strong foreign policy role.

Putin named Yuri Ushakov as a deputy Cabinet chief of staff, government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The appointment, which had been reported to be in the works, was revealed shortly after the Kremlin said President Dmitry Medvedev had relieved Ushakov of the Washington post because he was taking another job.